Method and apparatus for making sheet glass



Sept. 29, 1925.

BANNER .IIETHOD m EPEARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS oflginal F'ilad y 141926 8 s eets sheei; 3.

. i322. DAN HER 653 35103 mm AMARATUS FOE MAKING SHEET GLASS @sigimlFilfid ly 14, 19220 8 $hee'vs-$hee'i; 2

Sept 29, 1925 1,555,358

E. BANNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET e a ASS Original FileJuly 14, 1920 s Sheets-finest 5 7- ELLE-E5 i L .L

IfiVBNTUR Sept. 29, 1927351 1,555,358

E. BANNER IBTEQD AND-APPABATdS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS eri mwile July 14,1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Se t. .29, 1925.

E. BANNER METHOD- AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7Filed July 14', 1920 I I um I Illllllll Sept. 29, 1925. 1,555,358

E. BANNER IETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS Original Filed ly14, 1920 8 Shetw-Sheet a Fig. 54;

Patented se ij a9, .1925.

umrao STATE BAR R, or tom- 0, 0310. .f

OD m arraaarus FOR, MAKING SHEET GLASS 7 4 n w O 'F C 1 Application me m14, 1920,'Serie1-Ho. 336,389." aene'wa my 5, i922. Scrialmksiaesa I Toall whom it may concern.

,, citizen of the United States, and a resiv ess described in my formerdent of Toledo, in the county ofLucas and State of Ohio, have made aninvention appertainin to Method and Apparatus for Making A clare thefollowing to-be a'full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which i it appertainsto make and ;.use the same,

being bad tothe accompanying k are of the-same nature and smoothness 1reference drawings, and "to the characters of i reference markedthereon','"which'=*form-"a part of this specificatiom.

This invention relates tothe manufacture particularly to' simple forpracticing the proc v U.- '8. Letters Patent, No. 1,261,366,issuedIApril 2nd, 1918,-

of sheet glass and and efficient means for forming molten glassini'continuousfflat sheet form, and also to improvements i n theapparatus and'process disclosed there n, and includes, as one of thespecies' thereof,

the species dis'closed in' Figi-11of Said'patf'lheinventionislipreferablmpracticed fin cut and 'n Fig. 12 of i'hy' United statesapparatus Patent No'; 1,261,367, issuedui .2 1918. I s

It is found in the drawing oi-flojwihg of glass in sheet form, from aslabytrough, lip of a furnace, or otherflattening means, over or downwhich itflows, that there-1s a tendency for the sheet to acquire streaksand lines on its under side as it flows from such means, especially ifthe glass is not at the proper temperature or condition for drawing,while the oppositeside of the sheet has a smooth, perfect fire finish.

The'object of my {invention is to form sheet glass in such'a manner asto prevent such ob ect1onable forming of streaks and lines on the underside of the sheet as above the glass.

described, thereby producing a more per-- feet sheet than has heretoforebeen ossible, without necessitating a close watching and controlling'of'the'fiowing temperature of This is accomplished by causing themoldown a slab or other flattening means in split ,form for at least aportion of its length so that a glass film is.

provided at both sides of at least the tip or discharge end portion ofthe slab or flattening means from which the glass'fiows, and causing amerging or uniting of the separate films into a single sheetat the heet.Glass; and I do hereby'de- 'interiorly of the sheet and bothouter surofswing a point, wherebythe faces'thereof have the desired smoothfirefinish. In other words", anyroughness on the "under side of the sheetcaused by the flowing of such surface :flOIIL contact with theslab-ortip is obviated by uniting a thin film'of' molten glass with the"sheet at its.

inner side a and at or adjacent '-to its-point of flowing from theslab,so that both-sides With-this method of flowing -=-'the glass ini'sheetfor m, the temperature within the chamber" in whichis'fdisposedthe slabor membenfroniewhicli: the sheetflows may be varied to-i-afg'reateriextent than lias heres heeta however, the perfect forming of"sheet glass to-maintain as nearly a" constant and uniform" temperatiiiefondition'*vvithin the tempering-ehambep'as is possible.

connection with acontinu'ous "melting" tank fronrwhich' themolten glassiscausedor "permitted toflow into a pot ortrough disposed' in" 'aheate'dchamber in heatsur f rounded position and having'means'to regulate .thetemperature of the'chamber so that the temperature condition of theglass can be re lated to the desired fluidity before flowing onto anddown the slab, or member from which it is drawn in sheet form, the potor trough having a gate or other provision for regulating the quantity'of'glass flowing onto and down the slab or member. The slab or memberfrom which thesheet flows or is'drawn should be disposed in a heatedchamber having provision regulating the temperature therefor nicely ofthe slab or member in, whereby the heat and of the glass flowing downthe same,

may be controlled so that the glass may have the proper temperature andconsistency to permit it to flow from the slab "gor'member in sheetform. i

- The invention is fully describedfii the following specification, andwhile, in its broader aspect, it is-capable of being practiced bynumerous means, 'alfewonly of suchitneans are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in Which,---

-. Figure 1 1s a front elevation of a-furnace embodying one formofapparatus for 'pracstre kyappeamme;at is'lde'sirable,

" .nates ticing the invention, with parts thereof? broken away- Fig. 2is a fragmentarv side elevation thereof.. Fig. 3 is a central verticallongitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3?.

i is a rear view ofjthe slab in Fig. 3. F g. 4'

is acrosssection on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

5 and '6 are side edge and front elevations, res tively, of differentmodified forms-of abs for'nse in .the furnace. Fig.

9 a side ,edge elevation of the slab shown 6. Fig. 8is a'fra'gmentarysectional data .of a modified form of the slab and. slab enclosingchamber of thefurnace. Fig.

8 is a fragments. section on the line 15 8-8 in Fig. 8; Fig. 9 is afragmentary section thereof on the line 9--9 i'n'lFig. f8. 10 is a topplan view of the slab' shown in 9. ,Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectionalde of a modified form of the furnace and slab'. I Fig. 12 is a sectionalview of a modi fication of-the slab in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a fragmentarysectional detailot a different modification of the furnace and slab.Figs 14 and 15 are cross and -lognitudinal fragmentary sectional detailsof still another modificationof the furnace and slab. Figs. 16jand 17are 'plan and front ed e views, respectively, of the slab shown in igs.14 and "15; '18 to. -31 arelfragmentary sec-f tion'al views of slabsequipped with different formsfof ti Fig. 321s a fragmentary sectionalvidd of a modified form of the furnacehhdslab drawing off meansillustrated in Fig, 11 of my said former patent. 91ig. 33 is a crosssectional view thereof on the line 33-453 in Fig. 32. Fig. 34 is acentral vertical longitudinal section of a different formofapparatus forpracticing the invention.- Fig. 35 is a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view thereof, and Fig. 36 is a fragmentary side view of thecasing showan end bearingfor the slab tip.

' ferrin to the form of apparatus illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 to4, 1 desigt e melting furnace or tank, 2 the refining or main temperingchamber, the bottom of which forms a trough 3, over which molten glassflows from the melting or refining chamber to the heated forming chamber4, where it flows onto and down a slab or memberfi; from which theglassflows in roperly egulated sheet form.

he tempering chamber 2 is preferably provided near its rear end with'agate 6, which is suitably suspended to enable it to be raised orlowered'as desired. This gate may be used as a curtain-wall to separatetwo different temperatures in the furnace and the refining chamber, orit can be raised to equalize the temperatures. therein, or it can beadjusted to re ate the temperatures of the'furnace and'c amber in properrelation to each other, or it can be used as a "shut-01f gate to stopthe flow'of glass from the tank when the sheet forming is stopped orlwhenit is necessary to re lace'the removzible front section. 35, of t etrough 3, as hereinafter described. I A gate 7 is suspended in the frontend portion of the refining chamber 2, to se a.-

suspended, with a c earance space, which is regulated by loose brick orother suitable closure members 9, on top..of roof. This clearance spaceenables the gate 7 to be laterally adjusted relative to the furnace totake so care of any irregularities which may occur in the re lacement'location of the trough section '3?- ltself." The gate 7 at its lower andenters between guide strips-10 on the trough sides. The openings 11 1nthe furnace roof 35 form vents.for theehambers 2 and 4, and may beregulated b blocks (not shown) or in any other suita 1e manner to assistin. regulating the temperature within said chambers. g i

The removable trough section 3", is supported, in heat surroundedposition within the furnace by front and rear supporting walls .12 wand13,-- respectively, w ich cooperate with thefurnacewalls-to form aheating chamber 14, beneath the trough section, said chamber beingintended to have communication with the interior of the chamber 2,abovethe' trough through passages at the sides of the trough which areformed by spacing the side edges of the trough from the side walls ofthe furnace.

Heat is supplied to the interior of the chamber 14 from one ormoreburners 15, or in any other suitable manner. The .trough section 3 restsloosely in the walls 12 and 13 and is removable laterally from the fur-.

nace through an opening 16, provided in one or both of its side walls,which openingsare closed by bricks 17 or other suitable refractorymaterial. The spaces between the gate 7and side walls of the furnace atthe front end of the tempering chamber 2 are closed by slabs or blocks18 (Fig. 4).

The slab 5, onto which the glass flows from the trough 3 and fromthe-outer or lower edge of which it flows in sheet form, is disposed, inthe present instance, in substantially vertical or slightly inclined 0-sition within the chamber 4 beneath the i scharge end of the trough 3,and is supported in proper relation to said trough by verticallyadjustable side standards 19. These standards are. mounted for verticaladjustment in recesses 20, provided in the respective side walls of thefilm cc and their up- "per' ends are preferably projected inward to formbroadened ledges on which the lower ends of side extensions 21, at theupper end portions of the slab 5, seat./

against the lower end of portion flows over and down the front-face ofthe slab and a portion flows through the space provided between the lip.22 and slab end and thence down the -.rea r side of the slab. The twostreams or films which flow down opposite sides of the slab and merge orunite at the tip or discharge endof. the

slab flow therefrom in the form of a single sheet a. It is preferable tohave the film of glass, which. flows down the rear. or underside of theslab, thinner than the film flowing down the front, and the thickness ofthe rear film is re ulated by a vertical adjustment ,of the'slai to varythe'width of-the gauging space between the lip 22 and upper end of the:slab. This adjustment is accomplished by ;a raising or lowering-of theslab supporting standards.19,.which is efi'ected'by. a turning of theadjusting screws 24, which pro 'ect'up through a bot tom plate 25 of eacrecess 20 and .bear the respective standard. v

The slab 5 ,preferably narrows inthickness toward itslower end toterminate in a more or less sharp nose or discharge tip portion and, inthe present instance,,.its nose or tip portion is curved slightlyforward in the direction of flow of the sheet therefrom. The edge wallsor shoulders 23, which determine the width of the sheet, are extendeddown the faceor front side of. the slab to its discharge end, and thewidth of the'film which traverses the rear side of the slab isdetermined by grooves 23, which extend throughout thelength of the rearside of the grooves 26 on the frontof the slab and the ,to thatdescribed for the gate 30, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the hand controlshaft for such gauge grooves 27 on the rearthereof terminate short ofthe discharge end of the slab and merge into laterally ta cred edgertions 28,-whereby the film e ges at the ffont and rear sides of theslab may flow laterall over the inclines formed by the tapered portions28 an d merge at the side edges of the slab before reaching the.discharge end thereof To facilitate this ac-' .tion the width of theslab is gradually narrowed at its forward end portion as shown.

The front edge of the forming chamber 7 .4 is providedwith an opening29, which preferably extends from a point in advance .of the trough 3,or the upper end portion of the slab 5, to the lower end of the chamberand in .width is substantially equal to .75 the width of the slab. Theupper portion pf this opening is closed 'by a gate 30, which iscapableof both vertical and swinging adjustment to. place it inproper.relation to the slab 5 to regulate the space between the lower endportions of the slab and gate as working conditions ortemperat'ureregulation within the chamber 4 may require.

A gate carrier frame 31 of inverted U- form is pivoted at the lower endsof its legs,

at 32, to the front corner uprights 33 of the furnace adjacent to thetop of the opening 29 to adapt the frame for forward and 1 rearwardswinging movements relative to the furnace. Thegate 30 is suspended fromthe frame 31 by threaded rods 34 which project up through the top crossportion of theframe and throu nuts 35 resting thereon whereby a turmngof said nuts will effect a vertical adjustment of the gate. 96 .The gateis-slidinglyheld to the upper marginal, edge wall of the o ening 29 by aguide roller 36 carried by t e side, arms of the frame 31 at their lowerends in advance of the pivots 32 thereof. It is thus evident a sheave 38on the front top edge of the furv nace, thence around a she'ave39 to oneside of the furnace where it passes over and down from a sheave 40 to athreaded ad- 'u'sting rod 41, which is threaded from a and nut 42, theupper end thrust of which is against a bracket arm 43 projecting fromthe adjacent side arm of the frame 31.

For convenience of adjustment, the adjusting nuts 35 for the gatesuspending rods 34 have sprocket wheels formed thereon which areconnected by a sprocket chain. 44,

"and one of these nuts has a second sprocket wheel provided thereonthatis connected by a sprocket chain 45 to a sprocket wheel on the handcontrol shaft 46 that is' journaled in bracket arms- 47 projecting fromthe adjacent side arm of the frame 31. The ad- 'ustment and control forthe gate 7 is similar desired spaced relation thereto. This gate,

corner i 52 rests on disposed in above and below the;

over which the molten glass flows in the.present instance, rises fromthe bottom of the hamber 4, preferably in-.rearwardly spaced relation tothe front edges of the .side walls of said chamber and has its loweredge transversely rounded to adapt it to seat in a complemental recessin the chamber bottom in a manner to emit the gate to have forward orrearwar swinging adjustment.

Y The chamber 4 may be heated by subjace-nt burners 50 in addition tothe heat which enters the same from. the chambers 2 and 14 by radiationthrough the dividing walls or through cracks or loose joints which maybe present between the chambers. The chamber ilis' also heated b flamesfrom front burners 51 and 52, whic are respectively" disposed formedsheet a in position to direct their flames thereagainst and into thechamber 4 through the spaces between the slab and the adjacent edges ofthe gates 30. and 49. The flames from these burners follow therespective surfaces of the slab for a greater or less distance and serveto fire finish and to maintain at proper consistency the films of glassflowing down the respective sides of the slab. The upper burner 51 isadjustably carried by arms 53 which are longitudinally slotted toadjustably-engage with carrying screws or clamping' members 54 on theadjacent corner uprights 33 of the furnace. The lower burner brackets55, which 'are secured for. vertical adjustment to the respectiveuprights 33 and project into the rung 29 in advance of the gate 49.

56, 56 designate peep openings provided in one or both side walls of thechamber 4 in position to view the glass at the upper portion of the slabasit flows down both sides thereof. I

In the forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 11, 14 and15,the furnace, with respect to the chamber in which the slab is disposed,is of the muffle type, the slab being heated by radiant heat throughthin walls except for the flames from the front fire finishing burners.Referring particularly to Figs. 14 and 15, 60 designates the trough fromthe furnace or source of supply to the forming chamber, 61 the frontsupporting .wall or standard for said trough, 62 the regulating gate atthe front end of the trough, 63 the mufiied forming chamber, and 64 theslab said chamber and onto and down which'the glass from the trough 60flows and passes therefrom in sheet form. The slab 64is' supported indownwardly and forwardly inclinin position by front and rear blocks orstan ards .65 and'66, respectively, which are in turn supportted by athin slab 67 forming the roof of the heating chamber 68. This chamber isheated by burners 69, or in any other suitable manner,

and has its rear wall formed by the wall 61 and its front wall formed bythe block or wall 70 which supports the forward end of the roof slab 67.The rear end of said roof slab rests on blocks or forward projections 71on the wall 61. The rear end portion of the slab 64 projects under theforward end of the trough 60. and is curved to adapt it to seat or hookover the upper edge ofthe block 66. The front end of the slab 64 isprovided at its under side at a distance to the rear of its nose portionwith a plurality oflugs 72. which are rounded in convex. lower ends toadapt them to form at their seat in a coniplemental recess or cavityformed in the upper edge of the supporting slab 65. The lower edge ofthis supporting slab may be loosely seated in a recess in the forwardedge portion of the roof slab 67. The spaced in s 72, while cooperatingwith the upright s tab-65 tosupport the sheet gauging slab 64, providefor the passage of hot air lengthwise of the under side of the slab 64,either forwardly or rearwardly thereof in accordance with the draft.

-The mufiied chamber 63 in which the slab 64 is disposed has its endsformed by upright slabs 73, which rise from the ends of the slab 67 andextend upward therefrom 'above the slab 64 in spaced relation to itsends and also in spaced relation to the side walls 74 of the furnace.The end-slabs 73 are preferably extended forward to the forward edge ofthe front opening 75 of the furnace. The top of the muflie chamber 63roof arch'76, except for a narrow space provided between said arch andthe trough end, as shown, with the upper rear portion of the muiilechamber. The rear slab or block 66 is held to the wall 61 or preventedfrom falling forward by blocks 77, one of which is inserte'd into anopening in eachen'd slab 73 in position to engage the front side of theslab 66. It is evident that the heat in the chamber 68 entirelyencompasses the muflle chamber in which is disposed the inclined slab 6dfrom which the shz'et a, flows.

The slab 64 is provided in advance of the front supporting, slab 65 witha tip or nose portion 64., which projects from the slab 6t insubstantially the plane thereof and is slightly spaced therefrom to formthe narrow dividing $10 564" through which passes a thin film of theglass which flows over the slab 64. This film follows'the bottom contourof the tip and then merges with. and forms the under the finishedsurface of the which opens communication sheet -a flowing from theslab.' The tip 64 may be of metal, and in the present instance,

. which thej'ban'ds 78 pass, may be notched or incu't, as at 79, so thatthe ,bandswill not extend to the rear support- 66. The portion'of thefront furnace opening 7 5 above. the nose' of the slab 64 .may beclosedor controlledby a gate 80, which in mountingand' action, is likethe gate 30 ofthe apparatus first dqscribedp Burners 81;

and 82 are mounted above and below the formed sheet-e and may be thesame in action, eifect and mounting as the correspond. ingburners oftheapparatus first described.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 11, the arrangement and manner of heatingtheslabsvfrom which the glass flows is the same as described inconnection with Figs. Hand 15, except that the -slabs are mountedsomewhat differently and the glass divides into-separate films at "theupper. or inner ends thereof so that the under film flows the entirelength of the. under or rear side of theslab instead of merely .underthe noseor tipportion thereof.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the mufiie chamber,

which is designated85, andin which is dis-.

posed theslab 86 from which the-glass sheet flows, has its bottom endsand top walls formed by the slabs 87, 88 and; 89, respeetively', insubstantially the same manner as described for. Figs. 14 and 15, and theupper portion of the front opening. 90 of; said chamber 'is closed bythe adjustable gate 91,-

-the same as hereinbefore, described. -.The

rear wall of the muflle chamber: is formed by.

the upri ht slab 92, which is provided on its front si e with-a hookedor upwardly and forwardly rounded portion 93 forming a trough or recess94. The inner end portion of the slab 86 is provided in its under sidewith a recess, which is adapted to hook over the portion 93 in slightlyspaced relation thereto .to provide a thin assa'ge therebetween for afilm of glass owing from the.

trough 94 down the under side of; the slab 86, as shown. For thispurpose the glass stream flowing from thesupply trough 3 is deposited inthe trough or recess 94 and flows forward therefrom down both the upperand under sides of the slab 86. The rear recessed end of the slab 86which engages over the front edge'wall 93o'f the trough 94 and isproperly spacedtherefrom to'regulate the thickness of the glass filmpassing therebetween under the slab by a plurality of spacing members95, which may comprise narrow'metal strips bent to removably fit overthe wall or projection 93. The ends of the trough 94 are closed by endwalls 93", which are integral with the rear slab 92 and rise from theend portions 5 of the projection 9 to the top of the slab 92 to fit attheir upper ends against the bottom of the trough 3". The rear cornersof the slab 86 are notched or incut tofit around the end walls 93 of thetrough 94.

The sides of the slab 86 are rovided on the top sideedges' thereof ,witledges or ribs 96 the inner side edges of which are under-cut to receivethe outer edges of auge stri s 97 removably positioned there- 1n, and wich have upstanding lugs 98 at their upper or inner ends for engagingthe inner ends of the ledges 96 to hold the strips in position. These.strips may have their inper sides tapered so as to cooperateto grad-.ually narrow the space. therebetween from For adjustment the-strips 97may be removed and other strips of suitable width and shape substitutedtherefor. The slab '86 is supported in advance of the slab 92 at itsside edges by slabs or blocks 99, which .rest'at their.

oweif edges on the bottom slab 8Z of5the muflle chamber.

)A.- damper or gate 100 is supported by the forward ed portion. of thebottom slab 87 for FforWa 'anql rearwardly swinging adjustment' and hasits upper edge terminating adjacent to the bottom of the slab $6..Burners 101 and 102 are preferably disposed above and below the sheeta.-in mition to direct'their flames against the s eetadjacent to itspoint of leaving the slab 86 to fire finish the surface of the upper andlower films'which pass down the slab and to assist in regulating thetemperature of the glass.

The apparatus which is fragmentarily illustrated in Fig. 11, difie'rsrimarily from that of Figs. 8 and9 in that the glass stream from thesupply trough 103 flows onto the rear end of 'the slab, which isdesignated .104, and thence divides so that the major portion flows downthe top surface of the slab while the remaining portion constitutes athin film that flows around the rear edge of the slab and thence downthe under side thereof, being regulated in thickness by the spacingbetween the slab and a lip 105 on the lower edge of the discharge end ofthe trough, the apparatus being similar in this respect to thatillustrated in Fig. 3. The slab 104 is provided on its top surface atits side edges with gauge shoulders 106 which extend from the forwardend of the slabto an'd partly around the rear curved end thereof, asshown. In this slab the discharge end thereof continues straight in thegeneral plane of extension of the slab, while in-Fig. 12 the sameconstruction of slab is illustrated as having its discharge end' curveddownwardly.

In Figs. 18 to 31' are illustrated various forms 0 discharge ends forthe slabs from which the sheet is drawn or may flow, some of the slabsbeing inclined and others being f its front and rear walls are phorizontally disposed. These-tips are various constructions and may beof metal or other suitable material, and so disposed with respect totheslahpro r'as to cause a iiivision of the stream 0 glass flowingdo'w'n the slab so that a portion thereof flows down ..or at the frontside of the tip and a portion'thereof, preferably a film which isrelatively thinner than the front or top stream, flows under or down therear 131 sideof the tip to the point where'the two films or streams arermitted to merge intoa single sheet that ows from the tip.

l5, designates a tip portion of cylindrical form In thefo'rm illustratedinFlg. 24,110

around which the glass flows, and 111 desi nates-a width gau 'n fingerone of whic 1v is fixed to each on o the tip and is rota ably adjustedthereon to cause it to project from the ti in the general direction offlow of the cot erefrom. I

In theform sh in Fig. 26, thetip is integral with the slab and the slabis provided'adjacent'to its forward or flowin ofi endwith a plurality ofopenings 112,w ich permit a portion of the glass which flows own theslab to pass therethrough and flow in film-a form down the under side ofthe slab. In each of Fi 29,. and 31, the slab from which the s act ofglass flows is shown thereof and pass.

- as being horizontally disposed, and in the first two of these figuresthe slab is provided with a tip pbrtion which permits the sheet to fiowin double film form down the same preparatory to assing therefrom. InFig. 31'the Jtip, whic is designated 113 is disposed slightlyinadvanceof the s ab with its top surface on a plane with the sur face ofthe slab and withits bottom surface preferably downwardly inclined, thefor ward end of the tip, in the present instance, being of greatervertical thickness than its rear end. The films of glass which passaround the tip mergp at the lower front edge 1'. erefrom in single sheetform asindicated. The tips if made of metal or made separate from theslabs may be secure thereto b bands, as shown in Fig. 16,0r in any ot ersuitablev manner.

In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 13,, 115 designates the refining ortempering chamber t which the glass is supplied in molten to in anysuitable manner, as by being connected with a 'melting'tank, and thischamber is provided in its'bottom116 at the forward end thereof with adischarge I opening 117, which is partially blocked or sed by the upperend of a slab 118, which slab forms the member down which the glassflows in thin film form "and from the discharge end of which it flows orflows-in the form of a sheet a. The discharge opening, 117 is ofsuitable length toconform to the width of the sheet or stream which itis upper edge. The uppe chamber bottom.

the smegma. such flames desiredto flow from the chamber '15 and.

tapered so that the width. of the opening is gradually increaseddownwardlfy from its end 0 the slab ferably 118 is made of substantiallythe same tapered contour as the discharge opening 117 so that it maserve to. entire y cose said open ng,

or, wien-loweredfrom its closed position,

to provide thin discharge spaces for the ass at front and rear of theslab,. and also at the end edges if desired, the size of such spacesbeing determined by the extent of lowering of the slab relative to theat its opposite ends by vertically ad ustable standards 119 in the samemanner as described in connection with the sup rting means of theslab in-Fig. 3. The c amber in'which the slab 118 is dis d, is substantiallythe same as the chain r 4 in the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, beinheated in substantially the same way an having substantially the sameadjustable front gates- 121 and 122. Fire finishing burners 123 and 124are also provided above and below the formed sheet adjacentto thedischarge nose of the slab. 1k form of apparatus somewhat similar 'tothat illustrated in Fig. 13 is shown in Fig;

32 and is taken from my prior Patents Nos. 1,261,366 and 1,261,367,dated April 2, 1918.. In th' apparatus the trough 125, in which themolten glass flows from the fui'nace or I other soruce of'supply,terminates at its m I outer end in a ct or tank 126 that is disposedwithin a eatin chamber 127:.mhich is heated in any suita le manner,Thevpot 126 is elongated transversely of the tron h Y 125 to suit thewidth of the glass sheetto formed and is pr iiided at its bottomwith anelon ted opening 128 which extendsisubstantial y the length of the pot.A slab 129 of corresponding shape -in cross-section to. the opening 128projects down through'said The slab 118 is supported lio opening andinto a heating' chamber 130,

which is formed immediately below the bot tom of the P 126 by a-shell131, which surrounds the slab 129- to. near the lower end, i

the heating thereof. The lower end of "t the flames,

chamber 130 is opened? lie in thep'resenfnstanee; a burner 132, toassnpward-thereifn'from below the same an aroimdtheglass that is flowingdown finding anexit fromv the top portion of said chamber through "openngs 133 in the shell 131. It

is evident that the flames from the burner 132, or the heatgenerated-thereby, whi h rises around the glass as it flows down fromthe pot in encircling relation to the slab 129, firefinishes the surfaceof the glass and also maintains it at proper drawing con sistency. Thedischarge end of the slab 129 gradually narrows to permit the glassfilms sprocket chain 137 and one sprocket wheel 1 T 151 and down the:justing of the slab 129. "The, head'portion form whereb -a-rais riationin the size of such opening to regu- -able with respect to the slab 129,an for'this purpose is molten glass to flow from the trough onto haschain and s rocket connection 138 with an adjacent sha t 139, whereby itturning 'of said shaft will effect a uniform turning of the sprocketwheels and a vertical vadof the slab is preferablytapered or of wedge orlowering thereof within the outlet 128 o the pot effects avalate theflow of molten glass fromthe pot;- The shell 131 is preferably verticalladjust-f provided at opposite ends with arms .140 through which extend;rods. 141:,

that project downward from the: bottom under side'of the tip as may bedesired. The tip is preferabl made of nichrome, and I at-each endthereof is a fplroject downward :from, the collar Ar-width gaugemaintaining fin of the furnace. A sprocketwheel is thread; ed on each ofthese rodsin supporting an; tion to the arm throughwhich extend rods 141that bottom of the ham. .A' rocket-wheeliethreaded on each of these r sin supporting relation to the arms 14:0 and-areconnecte bysprocketchains .142 to one member of a "double sprocket wheel 143threaded-on a vertical rod 144 atone 'sideo'f therod 141.

The other members of theqsprocket wheels 143, 143 are connected b asprocket chain 145. It is thus evident t at a movement of ,said chain145 will efi'ect a simultaneous and uniform vertical adjustment of srocket wheels (not shown) which are carri by the rods 141; One advantageof mounting the shell 131 for vertical adjustment is'to fa-, cilitate areplacing-of the late146, which forms the opening 128, in t e bottom ofthe pot126. f e In the foiin'of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 34 to 36,the glass flows from 'a, furnace or source of supply over a trough r ntor upper side of an inclined slab 152$ isposed 1n a tempering chambel153,as"-is also the forward portion of the trough 151. The slab 15.2 is

,stationarily mounted, hearing at its upper end against the rear wall154 of the cliamher 153 immediately below the discharge end of thetrough 151 in position for the and down the front face of the slab, and

having its lower end supported'at its rear edge by a base block155'disposed within said chamber. The slab isjof trough form' havingedge strips or flanges 156 for limiting the width'of a stream of glassflowing down the'samet A tip 157 is mounted at the lower end of the slab152 for adjustment tip'the lms'or streams of glass w iich flow aroundthe opposite sides thereof. The tip is provided with end trunnions- 158projecting outwardly from the tempering chamber through openingsf 159 inits respective side walls, and each trunnion is journaled at its bracket161 that is fixed to the side me 162. The bearing block is attached tothe lower end of an adjusting screw 163, which is threaded in thebracket 161. ion 'tudinally, ,jof the direction of adjustment 0 theblock. -The adjustment of the tip with the hearing ,blocks' eifects avarying of the space bein the outerendin a bearing block 160 that ismounted for inclined adjustmentv in a ide tweenthe tip andlower endofthe slab so that moreflor less glass may. flow down the r165fortheIsheet is provided in advance of eachcollar 164. and is carried atthe inner d end-of a stem 1,66,,which projects lengthwise of theadjacent trunnion 158 and is ad'ustably carried by a clamp 167projecting rom the trunni'on.. The inner end 7 portion of each wallopening 159-ma beclosed around the tip trunnion by fire rick 168, thearran ement'of which maybe changed to suit the adjustment .of the-tip.The sheet of glass, in the resent instance, is drawn from the tip 157 trough'a" front opening 169 in the lower portion of the tempering chamber153. Burners-170 are arranged to direct their flame against 1 the glassat both sides of the tip and also =to'heat the portion of the 'temperinchamber at the rear of the slab. The s' e edges of'the slab are spacedfrom the side walls of the chamber to facilitate a circulation of heattherearound.

The sheet-of glass which flows from the slab or tip as the case may be,may flow therefrom by gravity in continuous vertical direction or haveits direction of movement from a verticahchanged to' a horizontal orother angle before the glass has cooled sufficiently to prevent bending.If the. sheet is drawn laterally from the discharge end Qofa'slab or tipas illustrated in several of the figures, it 13, of course, necessary toap-' ply a pulling stress thereto to effect .such

lat more"'or less to stretch or thin the sheet.

It" isfound, however, that perfect sheet ral drawing and this stresswill tend glass can formed by gravity action alone force onthe sheet. -I.asto-cause too great athinning' of a sheet,

then a sheet supporting or backing up means may be employed, as iscommon in the art.

I therefore wish itunderstood that the terms drawing,"drawn or draw asused herein do not necessarily mean the application of a ullingstressjon the sheet, but are used broa .inthe sense of flowing.

' i a It is evident that'in the use of each of the v described, themolten g ass is caused to flow in a molten state down a slab which isdisfposed in a heated atmosphere and is itsel heated, the glass beingdistributed, in sheet or film form over the surface'of the slab andbeing divided, before apparatus shown and 1, reaching the dischargeendtof the slab, into separate sheets or films which traverse op positesides of the slab and merge or unite at thetip'or discharge end of theslab so that they are permitted to flow from the slab in the orm of asingle sheet having both surfaces fire finished and free from marring orstreaking caused by contact with the slab. I wish it understood that theforms of ,apparatus herein described and shown for producing minvention, are merely for the 'purpose of i ustration' and not torestrict the scope of the invention defined in the claims beyond what isrequired by the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in causing molten glassto flow in laterally divided form around and down a directing partin atempering heat and in merged single sheet form therefrom.

The method of formin sheet glass, consisting'in flowin molten g ass downand frcmja directing member insheet form, with the glass exjpzised to atempering heat during such flow, and causing a ii in of molten glass tounite with the member conglass tasting side of the sheet as it leaves,the member,

3. The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing. moltenglass down and from a directing member in sheet form,

with the glass exposed to a heated atmos/ phere during such flow, andcausing a film of molten glass to flow along the opposite side of themember in contact therewith and to merge with-the inner side of saidsheet as it passes from said member.

4. The method of, forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing moltenglass from a source of supply se' arating the flowing stream into filmsof s eet form exposed at their outer sides to a heated atmosphere andcausing the films while still fluid to unite 6. The method of formingsheetyglass, consisting in flowing molten glass from a? source ofsupply,- separating the flowing stream into films of sheet form in thepresence of heat-to maintain the consistency of the films and to heatfinish their outer surfaces, then uniting and flowing the films insingle sheet form with the firefinished surfaces thereof forming theouter surfaces of thesheet. p V

7., The method'of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing moltenglass :froma source of supply in regulated sheet form along a directingand supporting means disd in a heated atmosphere, separating the sheetinto .filmsbefore leaving said means and with the innerror adjacentsurfaces of the films in contact with .the means, then uniting saidfilmswithout the discharge end of said means to form a single sheetvhaving heat finished surfaces. r a

8. The method of forming sheet glass,

consisting in flowing a streamP-ofimolten,

consisting 'in flowing a stream of molten along a heated directing meansin the presence of a tempering heat causing a s itting of the streamlaterally of its faces by said means to form separated sheets having.their inner adjacent sides only in eontact with the means, heatfinishing the outer I surfaces of said sheets, flowing the sheets inmerged single sheet form from the discharge end of the directing meanswith the heat finished surfaces of the separated sheets forming theouterunmafrred surfaces of the single sheet.

10. The method of formin sheet glass,-

consisting in flowing molten g ass in divided relationdown oppositesides of a directing member in the presence of heat to maintain j theglass at proper temperature and to heat finish the outer surfacesthereof, andmerging the divided portions at and flowing them' in singlesheet form from the discharge end of the member.

11. The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing moltenglass in divided relation down opposite side portions of a 12. Themethod of forming 'sheet glass,

consisting in flowing a tempered'stream of heat,

' glass,

glass onto 'and in divided films in the presence ofheat downopposite'sides of a slab disposed at an angle to a horizontal, mergingthe, films at the discharge end of the slab and flowing them therefromin single sheet form witlrthe outer heat finished surfaces-0f the filmsforming the surfaces of the sheet.

13. The method of formingsheet glass,

consisting in flowing a'stream of molten glass down a vertical slab inthe presence of the .rear of the discharge end-of the slab.

. thence down .the rear side of the slab and to merge with .the sheet asit fiows from one slab to form the 'under surface thereof.

14. In an apparatus for forming sheet glass, means for directing theflow of a stream of molten glass from a source'o't supply and from meansthe glass flows in sheet form, said means including a vertical slab downop posite sides of which the glass flows in laterally'separated filmform and at and from the lower end of which the films merge and flow insingle sheet-form.

15. In an apparatus for. forming sheet a heated chamber, and means fordirecting the how of molten glass through said chamber and from thedischarge end of which means the glass flows in sheet form, said meanshaving provision for glass to flow laterally from the streztm and alongthe opposite side of said means and to mergewith the sheet at its innerside as it fiows from said means.

16. In an apparatus for forming sheet glass, means for directing theflow of a stream of molten glass and from the discharge end of whichmeans the glass flows in sheet form, said means for portions of the lassstream to flow" 1n film form to and aldhg opposite sides of a portionthereof and to mergeand flow from the lower end thereof in single" shcetform, and means for maintaining the films apd stream of glass at propertemper and for heat finishing the outer surfaces of the films. 17. In anapparatus for forming sheetfiowing it insheet form-from the dischargeend thereof, and causing a film of: glass to flow laterally from.thestream the discharge end of which having provision glass, a heatedchamber, means for directing the flow of a stream of glass from a sourceof supply through said chamber and including a slab at an angle to ahorizontal down.

which the glass flows in sheet form, said means having provision for aportion of the glass stream to flow in film form to and along the rearside of the slab and to merge ivith and form a heat finished surface forand to merge with and form the respective side of the sheet as it flowsfrom the slab. i 19. In an apparatus for forming sheet glass, a heatedchamber having an outlet opening, means for delivering a stream ofmolten glass in tempered-form to said chamber, means within said chamberonto which the glass flows from said first means and from the end ofwhich the glass flows in sheet form through the. chamber opening,

\said last means having provision for divlding the glass stream intoaterally separated films which flow along op osite sides'thereof andunite at the discharge end "of-said last meansto form the oppositesurfaces of the sheet. 1

20. In an apparatus. for forming sheet glass, a heated chamber having anopening, means for delivering a stream of molten glass to said chamber,a slab within the chamber onto and along which the glass flows from saidmeans and from the discharge end of which the glass flows in sheet formthrough saidopening, said slab having provision for dividing the glassstream into laterally separated films which flow along opposite sidesthereof and unite at its discharge end to form the opposite surfaces ofthe sheet fiowingfrom the slab, and means for regulating said opening.

glass, glass flows, a member onto and along which a stream of glassilows from said means and from the discharge end of which it flows insheet form. a portion of the glass stream .being permitted to, flowbetween said means and member to the rear of said member and 21. In anapparatus for forming sheet 7 means from which a stream of molten thencealong the same and tomerge-in film form. with the rear of the sheet asit flows from'said member, said member being adjustable relative to saidmeans to vary the thickness of said film.

, In an apparatus for forming sheet glass, means from which a stream ofglass flows, :1 memberonto and along which the member to the rearofsaidmember and 'p form with the rear of the sheet as it flows glassflows from said means and from the ischarge end of which it flows insheet form, a portion of the glass stream being permitted to flowbetween said means and thence along the same and to'mcrge in film fromsaid member, means supporting said member and adjustable to vary theposition of the member relative'to said means to'reg ul'ate thethickness of the film flowing down the-re'arside of the member.

23. In an apparatus for forming sheet. .glass, a heated chamber, meansfor delivering a stream of molten glass to said' chamher, means withinthechamber ontowhich" I the glass flows from said first means and whichcauses the stream to divide into films which flow down opposite sidesthereof and merge at and flow from the-discharge end of said last meansin single sheet fonnn'said stream dividing means being adpistablerelative to said means to vary the thickness ofthe films flowing downthe opposite sides thereof. y v

24;; In an-apparatus for forming sheet 'glass,-a heated chamber, meansfor deliver- I so mg a stream of molten glass to said chamber, a slabdisposed in said chamber and causing the stream flowing from said meansto separate and flow in laterallyspaced films downopposite sides of theslab and to' merge at and flow from the-discharge end of the slab inasinglefsheet, and means support ng "the slaband ad3ustable to vary itsposition 'to partially close the same andto cause glass to flowtherefrom] in laterally divided streams which merge and flow in singlesheet form from the lower end thereof, and means for controlling thetemperature of the glass flowing down said second means.

- 27 In an apparatus for forming sheet glass, means forming a moltenglass supply and havinga discharge outlet in its bottom portion, meanscooperating with said outlet to partially close the same and to causeglass to flow therefrom in laterally divided streams which merge andflow in single sheet form from the lower end thereof, said second meansbeing adjustable relative to e first means to regulate the size of the Iopening and the consequent thickness ofthe glass streams flowingtherefrom. 5

28. In an apparatus for formingsheet v and having a discharge outlet inits bottom ortion, means cooperating with said outlet to partially closethe sameand to cause glass to flow therefrom in laterally dividedstreams which merge and flow insingle sheet form. from the-lower endthereof, said Seetirst means to regulate the size of theopem streamsflowing therefrom, and'means for flowing downisaidse'condi means. r r

- 29." Inan -apparatus forf' forming" sheet glass, means forming amolten 'glasssupply controlling the. temperature of the" glass .ondmea'nsbeing adjustable relative to the y ing and the consequentthickness of the glass glass, ;means;' forming asource'ofmolten glasssupply and having a horizontal el0n-' gated dischargeopening in itsbottom portion, a'slab adjustably projecting'intosaid opening toserve'as a' gate for regulating the size of the opening and providing aglass discharge space at each side thereof wherey I by glass may flowdown opposite sides of the ,sl'ab in regulated film form and mergeandflow'in single sheet form from the lower end thereof. a

30. In anapparatusflfor -forming sheet glass, means formmg a source" ofmolten glass supply and having' ajhorizontal' elonf.. gated dischar eopening in lts'bottom portion, a slab a .justably projecting into saidopemng to serve as a gate-for regulating the size of the opening andproviding'a lass discharge space at each. side thereof w ereby glass mayflowdown opposite sides of the slab 1n regulated film formyandxmerge andflow' in single sheet form from the lower end thereof, and means fortempering the glass films flowing down the slab. 31. The method offorming sheet glass,

consisting in flowing a film of molten glass with one side in contactwith a plane surface of a solid and with the other side-i contacted bygases only, moving the filn'nfrom contact with the solid and unitinganother film of glass to the side that was contacted by I the solid. i

The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing a filmiofmolten glass with one side in contact with a plane surface of a solidand with the other side contacted by gases only, moving the film fromcontact with the solid, simultaneously forming another film in the sameway, and uniting the surfaces of the films that contacted the surfacesof the solid'as they leave said surfaces.

The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowing films of moltenglass,

feach with one surface fire finished, to a unit- I ing point and thereuniting the films while still plastic and with the fire finishedsurfaces ot the films forming the surfaces of the, united sheet.

llt

method of forming sheet glass, consisting in flowingmolten glass from asource of supply, separating the flowing stream into films of sheetformexposed at their outer sides to the atmosphere, and causing the innersides of the films while still plastic to unite to form a single sheet34. The

- from the films.

supplying films of molten glass to the upper portions of said surfaces.

37. In an apparatus of the class described, a member down opposite sidesof which molten glass is intended to flow in film form,

and means for directing a broad stream of molten glass onto the upperend of the member in such a way that the glass is caused to flow downthe opposite sides thereof.

38. In an apparatus foryproducing sheet glass, a member having oppositesurfaces merging in a line at the bottom of the member, and means forsupplying films of molten glass to an upper portion of said surfaces.

39. In an apparatus for producing sheet glass, a wedge shaped memberwith its apex downward. and means for supplying molten glass to theupper end of the member so that it will flow down both sides thereof.

40. The method of forming sheet glass, consisting in causing moltenglass to How in laterally divided streams down a directing means and inmerged single sheet form therefrom.

ll. In an apparatus for producing sheet glass, means having downwardlyconverging surfaces, and means for supplying films of molten glass tosaid surfaces to flow down portions of the same "and in merged single 45sheet form from the lower ends thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name tothis-specification.

EDWARD BANNER.

